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Secondary education

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Original poster

gcse examinations and holidays.

58 replies

stacielise · 01/02/2011 18:24

wondering if anyone can help me.
myself and my partner booked a holiday back in october for ourselves my 6 year old daughter and his 16 year old son. the problem we are facing is GCSE's

we go on the 20th May school breaks up on 27th but im unsure if there is any exams on those dates. still waiting for the school to get back to us.

is it possible for children to sit there exam at a later date. or will he now not be able to go on the holiday? Hmm

hope someone can help me with this. i know logically we shouldnt of booked the holiday without checking. jus didnt realise at the time. x

OP posts:
scurryfunge · 01/02/2011 18:27

He could miss the exam and resit in the autumn.

GCSE dates cannot be changed for family holidays.

MumInBeds · 01/02/2011 18:29

I think you can search here but it is very likely he will have exams or at the least a lot of revision to do that week.

MumInBeds · 01/02/2011 18:32

Looks like most if not all the exam boards have science exams that week.

LIZS · 01/02/2011 18:32

You are still far enough away to be able to reschedule your holiday. Sorry but even if exams aren't that week ( but orals and coursework may be if not sat papers) then surely it isn't really the time to be going away and miss school/revision.

hocuspontas · 01/02/2011 18:34

Written exams start 9th May and finish 27th June. Controlled assessments may be outside of this period. (Can you tell I've just got back from a yr11 parent consultation evening? Grin)

CrosswordAddict · 01/02/2011 18:45

As the other posters have said. No, he can't sit at another time, except resit next November. I should see his Head of Year and get the exam dates for yourself if I were you. You need to get the information clear I think. Maybe you could re-arrange something?

Original poster
stacielise · 01/02/2011 18:51

yeah thats the site i was looking on mum in bed. we did enquire about gcse's before the holiday was booked. but they didnt have exact dates yet Confused

hocuspontas. wow, thats a long time frame to do written exams, remember when i was at school it was around a 3 week time frame (im 24)

we have considered moving the dates. but the price hike is disgraceful!!! no wonder parents feel the need to take children out of school for family holidays, reason why i chose to go over half term too. jus didnt think for the OH sons gcse's at the time. x

OP posts:
mnistooaddictive · 01/02/2011 18:54

It really is a bad time to go on holiday even if there are no exams. It was a bit silly to book it without considering his GCSEs. I would change it if you can.

crazymum53 · 01/02/2011 19:01

I would rearrange for the end of June after exams are finished - most Y11s can leave school after their exams so it won't be a problem then.

Milliways · 01/02/2011 20:03

DS is taking his GCSE's this year, and this is the first time since he started school that we have been able to book outside the Summer Hols - but we are going early July.

Now I have his timetable I realise we could have gone 1 week earlier, but it was too risky to book without the timetable in hand. The only assurance we had was they WILL be finished by end June.

seeker · 01/02/2011 20:33

You booked a holiday during GCSE time? Why?

seeker · 01/02/2011 20:34

And are thinking it's a good idea to get him to take the exams at a later date so you don't miss your holiday??

roisin · 01/02/2011 20:45

This is a CRAZY time to take a yr11 student out of school. Even if he doesn't miss exams, he will miss vital revision lessons.

If he misses an exam he will have to re-sit next year.

PixieOnaLeaf · 01/02/2011 21:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
stacielise · 01/02/2011 21:15

i merely asked some advice. hes not my son, so final decision will not be down to me. thats his dads choice.

im the one trying to sort something out about the holiday not my problem he cant be fussed.

i dont see why me and my daughter should have to lose out. its a holiday with my daughters grandparents hence why it is booked for when it is so cant be changed.

i would never take him out of school to miss exams, i wasnt allowed when i was at school. i had to wait till the year later while all my brothers and sisters had their holiday.

OP posts:
MumInBeds · 01/02/2011 21:21

stacielise In the same post:

"yeah thats the site i was looking on mum in bed. we did enquire about gcse's before the holiday was booked. but they didnt have exact dates yet"

"reason why i chose to go over half term too. jus didnt think for the OH sons gcse's at the time."

They don't seem to go together but maybe that's just me.

What do your OH and your OH's son think to things? I know my DS would be very upset if I booked a holiday for him over his GCSEs then suggested he delays his exams.

Original poster
stacielise · 01/02/2011 21:27

meaning we enquired about the gcse's dates and because they couldnt give us an exact date we chose to go over half term as to avoid any clashes. but the hol starts a week before half term. and as i said that cant be changed because its my daughters grandparents we are going with and she shouldnt lose out either.

my partner is too laid back and says it will get sorted, but hence why im trying to sort it coz it never will if he is in charge! and my OH son doesnt seem to fussed either. obviously i dont agree with this or i wouldnt be searching for advice, id of jus let him get on with things.

OP posts:
seeker · 01/02/2011 21:38
Hmm
ajandjjmum · 01/02/2011 21:41

Poor kid.

Milliways · 01/02/2011 21:53

I honestly think you'll have to sit down with all family members and explain why the holiday HAS to be changed. This is his whole future here.

My DD refused to go camping on a Bank Hol weekend before her GCSE's as it would affect revision time. End of May is revision, revision and more revision.

DO you all live together? If not then maybe it's not so bad if you go and the boy & his Dad stay home, but if you live together that would be cruel.

Sorry, but I think you have time to cancel/re-book and should do so.

Original poster
stacielise · 01/02/2011 21:53

poor kid ??????????????

OP posts:
Original poster
stacielise · 01/02/2011 21:55

we dont live together. i dont live with my OH either. I am paying for myself and my daughter they are paying seperate.
i will not cancel on my daughter and let her down. im hoping an arrangement can be made for the OH's son, but it is not my responsibility, ive tried to sort something, but obviously i cant make the best of an already bad situation.

OP posts:
ajandjjmum · 01/02/2011 21:56

Yes stacielise.

I think it's really sad that no-one seems to realise the importance of his exams, and that he should be supported in his revision and preparation. They will affect his whole life.

I realise that he's not strictly speaking your responsibility, but surely his Dad should be aware of what's going on in his school life, and the importance of this year, and plan family holidays accordingly.

TmiEdward · 01/02/2011 22:00

If he misses an exam then the school may charge.
Our local school charges £75 for each missed exam.

Original poster
stacielise · 01/02/2011 22:05

how does no one realise the importance of his exams??? that is not what has been said anywhere along the line. im trying to find stuff out so i can sort things. ive not once said well bugger the exams the holiday is booked. far from it. i done my GCSES only 8 years ago so know fine well the importance of GCSEs i wouldnt be where i am now without them.

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